ABSTRACT Objective: Recently, several studies have found that obesity had a protective effect against varicocele, but no meta-analysis has confirmed this finding. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and varicocele. Material and Methods: We searched for studies in PubMed, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library from inception until February 2018. The association between BMI and varicocele was assessed by pooling the odds ratios (ORs). Results: Eleven eligible studies with a total study population of 1.376.658 participants were included in our analysis. According to BMI, the subjects were defined as belonging to the obese, overweight and underweight groups. Our results showed that the obese group had a lower risk of varicocele when compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.37-0.58). Additionally, an overweight BMI had a protective effect against varicocele (OR 0.70, 95% CIs, 0.56-0.86). However, underweight patients had a more than 30% higher risk of varicocele (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.04-1.64). Furthermore, there was no publication bias in any of the analyses. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that BMI is negatively associated with the presence of varicocele.

Abstract Because soluble salt in saline soil dissolves with water, utility tunnels built in saline soil foundation are more likely to damage due to by groundwater and earthquake. In this study, new cementitious composite materials were developed by using slag, building gypsum, quicklime, and magnesia. The unconfined compressive strengths of the saline soil solidified by new cementitious composite materials and cement are investigated, and the optimum proportion of the different components of the new cementitious composite materials is determined. We found from microscopic characteristics of the saline soil solidified by the new cementitious composite materials and cement that the new materials could better absorb chloride ions. Finally, the new cementitious composite materials were applied to saline soil foundation reinforcement of a utility tunnel. By using the finite element method (FEM) and shaking table tests, it can be seen that the displacement, acceleration and extent of damage of the utility tunnel after saline soil foundation reinforcement using new cementitious composite materials significantly decreased; therefore, the new cementitious composite materials can improve the seismic behaviour of the utility tunnel and shows potential future engineering application value.

ABSTRACT Expressways in China are developing rapidly, as is traffic pollution, which is one of the major sources of urban pollution. In this study, we chose the greenbelt in the idle zone near the Lin’an toll station along the Hang Rui expressway as our sampling area. Five points in the sampling area along Qianjin road were marked vertically at distances of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 m to monitor concentrations of PM2.5 and learn the varying patterns of these concentrations and influencing factors. The results showed that in spring (March, April and May), the average PM2.5 concentrations in the greenbelt were 32.56 ± 22.51, 77.71 ± 32.11 and 64.15 ± 29.00 μg m-3, respectively. The ranking of concentrations at different monitoring points in the same period was 0 > 15 > 60 > 30 > 45 m. The average concentrations in winter (November and December 2017, and February 2018) were 33.56 ± 9.34, 60.78 ± 17.67 and 124.71 ± 43.19 μg m-3, respectively. However, the ranking of concentrations at different monitoring points in the same period revealed some differences. Except at 0 m, the concentrations of PM2.5 in the other four positions were higher in winter than in spring. The reduction rate at 45 m reached its maximum in both spring and winter. PM2.5 concentrations were significantly correlated with meteorological factors, the structure of the plant community and traffic flow. PM2.5 concentrations were negatively correlated with temperature, positively correlated with relative humidity and was not significantly correlated with wind speed. The correlations of PM2.5 concentrations with the canopy density and degree of porosity differed greatly due to different seasons, and concentrations were significantly correlated with the amount of traffic flow, especially when there were large trucks.

RESUMEN Las vías rápidas se están desarrollando con gran celeridad en China y junto con ellas la contaminación por tráfico, que es una de las mayores fuentes de contaminación urbana. En este estudio se eligió como área de muestreo el cinturón verde ubicado en la zona de amortiguamiento cercana a la estación de peaje Lin’an en la autopista Hang Rui. Se seleccionaron cinco puntos verticales a lo largo de la carretera Qianjin a distancias de 0, 15, 30, 45 y 60 m para monitorear las concentraciones de PM2.5 y conocer tanto sus patrones de variaciones como los factores que influyen en ellos. Los resultados mostraron que durante la primavera (marzo, abril y mayo) las concentraciones promedio de PM2.5 en el cinturón verde fueron de 32.56 ± 22.51, 77.71 ± 32.11 y 64.15 ± 29.00 μg m-3, respectivamente. La categorización de las concentraciones en diferentes puntos de monitoreo en el mismo periodo fue de 0 > 15 > 60 > 30 > 45 m. Las concentraciones promedio en invierno (noviembre y diciembre de 2017, y febrero de 2018) fueron de 33.56 ± 9.34, 60.78 ± 17.67 y 124.71 ± 43.19 μg m-3, respectivamente. Sin embargo, la categorización de las concentraciones en diferentes puntos de monitoreo mostró algunas diferencias. Con excepción del punto de muestreo ubicado a 0 m, las concentraciones de PM2.5 en los otros cuatro puntos fueron superiores en invierno que en primavera. La tasa de reducción a una distancia de 45 m alcanzó su máximo tanto en primavera como en invierno. Las concentraciones de PM2.5 tuvieron una correlación significativa con factores meteorológicos, la estructura de la comunidad vegetal y el flujo de tráfico; asimismo, tuvieron una correlación negativa con la temperatura, correlación positiva con la humedad relativa, y correlación no significativa con la velocidad del viento. Las correlaciones de PM2.5 con la densidad y el grado de porosidad de la cubierta vegetal difirieron de manera considerable como resultado de la estacionalidad, y las concentraciones se correlacionaron significativamente con la densidad del flujo de tráfico, especialmente en presencia de camiones pesados.

ABSTRACT Housefly, Musca domestica, has a complicated immune system. However, its underlying operating mechanism remains elusive. Candida albicans is a major pathogen affecting humans by causing deep infection fungous disease, but it is non-symbiotic in houseflies. To investigate the C. albicans infection process in housefly, the changes in morphological and histological and expression patterns of antimicrobial peptide were monitored to indicate the insect's response to fungal infection. The results showed that scattered brown spots were comprising melanized encapsulation and encapsulated fungal cells were initially observed at the inner side of larvae's body wall 3 h post-infection (PI). Between 6 and 36 h PI, the whole body of larvae was densely covered with the brown spots, which then gradually disappeared. The majority had disappeared at 48 h PI. Some fungi colonized in the gaps between the body wall and the muscle layer, as well as among muscle fibers of the muscle layer at 12 h PI and hyphal was observed at 18 h PI. These fungi colonized distribution changed from a continuous line to scattered spots at 24 h PI and virtually disappeared at 48 h. The results of quantitative PCR analysis revealed that in coordination with the variation during the infection, the expression levels of four antimicrobial peptides were up-regulated. In conclusion, C. albicans infection in M. domestica larvae involved the following stages: injection, infection, immune response and elimination of the pathogen. The rapid response of antimicrobial peptides, melanized encapsulation and agglutination played a vital role against the pathogenic invasion.

Background: Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the most devastating disease in peanut. Planting resistant peanut cultivars is deemed as the sole economically viable means for effective control of the disease. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying resistance and facilitate breeding process, differences in gene expression between seeds of Rihua 1 (a Virginia type peanut variety resistant to bacterial wilt) inoculated with the bacterial pathogen suspension (10(9) cfu ml-1) and seeds of the same cultivar treated with water (control), were studied using the GenefishingTM technology. Results: A total of 25 differentially expressed genes were isolated. Expression of genes encoding cyclophilin and ADP-ribosylation factor, respectively, were further studied by real time RT-PCR, and full length cDNAs of both genes were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Conclusions: The study provided candidate genes potentially useful for breeding peanut cultivars with both high yield and bacterial wilt resistance, although confirmation of their functions through transgenic studies is still needed.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A hipotensão materna associada à raquianestesia no parto cesáreo é a complicação mais frequente e problemática, com sérios riscos para a mãe e comprometimento do bem-estar neonatal. Nesse contexto, o volume efetivo de cristaloides por via intravenosa como uma estratégia de prevensão ainda não foi estimado. MÉTODOS: Oitenta e cinco parturientes com estado físico ASA I/II submetidas à cesariana seletiva foram selecionadas e 67 mulheres elegíveis foram designadas para receber uma pré-carga de cristaloides com 2 mL de bupivacaína hiperbárica a 0,5% (10 mg) mais 50 µg de morfina. O volume de cristaloides foi determinado por um método sequencial up-and-down. Os cristaloides foram infundidos a uma taxa de 100 a 150 mL.min-1 antes da anestesia espinal. O volume inicial de cristaloides foi de 5 mL.kg-1. Os dados do efeito do volume foram ajustados para o modelo sigmoidal de máxima eficácia e a mediana do volume efetivo (VE50) e seu intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% foram calculados usando a estimativa de máxima verossimilhança e a regressão logística de Firth corrigida. RESULTADOS: Sessenta e sete parturientes completaram o estudo e foram analisadas. Vinte e oito pacientes (41,8%) desenvolveram hipotensão, com queda da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) superior a 20% do valor basal. O VE50 de cristaloides foi de 12,6 mL.kg-1 (IC 95%, 11,6 a 14,8 mL.kg-1). Com a correção de Firth, a probabilidade conjunta do volume efetivo de cristaloides a 13 mL.kg-1 foi de 50,2% (IC 95%, 30,0% a 83,1%). CONCLUSÕES: O VE50 estimado da pré-carga de cristaloides necessário para prevenir a hipotensão induzida por anestesia espinhal em parto cesáreo é de 13 mL.kg-1 (valor aproximado). Porém, a profilaxia ou terapia com vasoconstritores também deve ser preparada e administrada no momento oportuno.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Spinal anesthesia-associated maternal hypotension in Cesarean delivery is the most frequent and troublesome complication, posing serious risks to mothers and compromising neonatal well-being. The effective volume of intravenous crystalloid as the preventive strategy in this context has not been estimated. METHODS: Eighty-five parturients with ASA physical status I/II undergoing elective Cesarean delivery were screened and 67 eligible women were assigned to receive pre-spinal crystalloid loading. Hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine 2 mL (10 mg) plus morphine 50 µg was given to all patients. The volume of crystalloid was determined by an up-and-down sequential method. The crystalloid was infused at a rate of 100-150 mL.min-1 prior to the spinal anesthetic injection. The initial volume of crystalloid was 5 mL.kg-1. Volume-effect data were fitted to a sigmoidal maximum efficacy model and the median effective volume (EV50) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation and logistic regression with Firth's correction. RESULTS: A total of 67 subjects completed the study and were analyzed. Twenty-eight (41.8%) patients developed hypotension with their systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreasing > 20% of baseline. The EV50 of crystalloid were 12.6 mL.kg-1 (95% CI, 11.6 to 14.8 mL.kg-1). With Firth's correction, the pooled probability of an effective preventive volume of crystalloid at 13 mL.kg-1 was 50.2% (95% CI, 30% to 83.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The estimated EV50 of the preloaded crystalloid required to prevent spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension in a Cesarean section is, approximately, 13 mL.kg-1. However, prophylactic or therapeutic vasoconstrictors should also be prepared and administered at an appropriate time.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La hipotensión materna asociada a la raquianestesia en el parto por cesárea es la complicación más común y problemática, acarreando serios riesgos para la madre y para el compromiso del bienestar neonatal. En ese contexto, el volumen efectivo de cristaloides por vía intravenosa como una estrategia de prevención todavía no ha sido estimado. MÉTODOS: Fueron elegidas ochenta y cinco parturientes con estado físico ASA I/II sometidas a la cesárea selectiva, y 67 mujeres elegibles fueron designadas para recibir una precarga de cristaloides con 2 mL de bupivacaína hiperbárica al 0,5% (10 mg) más 50 µg de morfina. El volumen de cristaloides quedó determinado por un método secuencial up-and-down. Los cristaloides fueron administrados a una tasa de 100 a 150 mL.min-1 antes de la anestesia espinal. El volumen inicial de cristaloides fue de 5 mL.kg-1. Los datos del efecto del volumen se ajustaron para el modelo sigmoidal de máxima eficacia y la mediana del volumen efectivo (VE50). El intervalo de confianza (IC) de 95% fue calculado usando la estimación de máxima verosimilitud y la regresión logística de Firth para la corrección. RESULTADOS: Sesenta y siete parturientes completaron el estudio y fueron analizadas. Veinte y ocho pacientes (41,8%) desarrollaron hipotensión, con una caída de presión arterial sistólica (PAS) superior al 20% del valor basal. El VE50 de cristaloides fue de 12,6 mL.kg-1 (IC 95%, 11,6 a 14,8 mL.kg-1). Con la corrección de Firth, la probabilidad conjunta del volumen efectivo de cristaloides a 13 mL.kg-1 fue de 50,2% (IC 95%, 30,0% a 83,1%). CONCLUSIONES: El VE50 estimado de la precarga de cristaloides necesario para prevenir la hipotensión inducida por anestesia espinal en el parto por cesárea es de 13 mL.kg-1 (valor aproximado). Sin embargo, la profilaxis o terapia con vasoconstrictores también debe ser preparada y administrada en el momento oportuno.

The aim of this work was to study the cloning and characterization of HMW-GS 1Dx2 promoter from Triticum aestivum. A 1050 bp partial promoter fragment including a putative TATA box and 5' encoding sequence of the gene was cloned by amplifying the upstream sequences using the nest-PCR with appropriate primers. The analysis of the promoter sequence against the PLACE (Plant cis-acting Regulatory DNA Elements) database showed the presence of certain putative endosperm-specific regulatory cis-elements in the sequence along with the TATA and CAAT boxes. The histochemical method detected the transient expressions of GUS in the seeds of wheat. The results showed that HMW-GS 1Dx2 promoter had the endosperm-specific transcription activity in the wheat seeds.

China has been carrying out large-scale schistosomiasis control since the mid-1950s, but in the early 1990s, schistosomiasis was still endemic in eight provinces. A World Bank Loan Project enabled further significant progress to be made during the period 1992-2001. The control strategy was focused on the large-scale use of chemotherapy - primarily to reinforce morbidity control - while at the same time acting on transmission with the ultimate goal of interrupting it. Chemotherapy was complemented by health education, chemical control of snails and environmental modification where appropriate. A final evaluation in 2002 showed that infection rates in humans and livestock had decreased by 55% and 50%, respectively. The number of acute infections and of individuals with advanced disease had also significantly decreased. Although snail infection rates continued to fluctuate at a low level, the densities of infected snails had decreased by more than 75% in all endemic areas. The original objectives of the China World Bank Loan Project for schistosomiasis control had all been met. One province, Zhejiang, had already fulfilled the criteria for elimination of schistosomiasis by 1995. The project was therefore a success and has provided China with a sound basis for further control.

China lleva tomando medidas en gran escala contra la esquistosomiasis desde mediados de los años cincuenta, pero a comienzos de los noventa esa enfermedad era todavía endémica en ocho provincias. Un Proyecto de préstamo del Banco Mundial permitió hacer grandes progresos durante el periodo 1992-2001. La estrategia de control se centró en la administración de antibioticoterapia en gran escala - principalmente para reforzar el control de la morbilidad - unida a intervenciones paralelas contra la transmisión, a fin de interrumpirla. Como complemento de la antibioticoterapia se adoptaron medidas de educación sanitaria, control químico de los caracoles y modificación ambiental cuando fue necesario. Una evaluación final realizada en 2002 mostró que las tasas de infección en seres humanos y en el ganado habían disminuido en un 55% y un 50%, respectivamente. El número de infecciones agudas y de individuos con signos de enfermedad avanzada también había disminuido significativamente. Aunque las tasas de infección de los caracoles siguieron fluctuando a niveles bajos, las densidades de caracoles infectados habían disminuido en más de un 75% en todas las zonas endémicas. Todos los objetivos originales del Proyecto de préstamo del Banco Mundial en China para el control de la esquistosomiasis fueron alcanzados. Una provincia, Zhejiang, consiguió cumplir ya en 1995 los criterios de eliminación de la enfermedad. El proyecto fue por tanto un éxito, y ha proporcionado a China una base sólida para aplicar nuevas medidas de control.

La Chine mène une lutte à grande échelle contre la schistosomiase depuis le milieu des années 50, mais au début des années 90, cette maladie était encore endémique dans huit provinces. Un projet de prêt de la Banque mondiale a permis la réalisation de progrès importants sur la période 1992-2001. La stratégie de lutte contre la maladie était axée sur l'utilisation à grande échelle de la chimiothérapie dans l'objectif principal de maîtriser davantage la morbidité, tout en agissant simultanément sur la transmission dans le but ultime de l'interrompre. La chimiothérapie était complétée par une éducation sanitaire, une lutte chimique contre les escargots et des modifications de l'environnement le cas échéant. Une évaluation finale réalisée en 2002 a montré que les taux d'infection chez l'homme et les animaux d'élevage avaient diminué respectivement de 55 et 50 %. Le nombre d'infections aiguës et d'individus à un stade avancé de la maladie avait aussi notablement diminué. Bien que les taux de contamination des escargots continuent de fluctuer à un faible niveau, les densités d'escargots infectés ont diminué de plus de 75 % dans l'ensemble des zones d'endémie. Les objectifs de départ du Projet de prêt de la Banque mondiale en faveur de la lutte contre la schistosomiase ont été remplis. Une province, le Zhejiang, était parvenu à satisfaire les critères d'élimination de la schistosomiase dès 1995. Le projet a donc été un succès et a fourni à la Chine une base solide pour poursuivre la lutte.